What Is Redemption: How Christ’s Suffering Saves Us

by Philippe de la Trinité

For God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)

The Crucifixion of Jesus Christ is central to the Catholic Faith. But how does the murder of the eternal Son of God by human beings lead to their redemption, not further damnation?

During the sixteenth century, as Protestants rejected Catholic doctrine, a new answer to this question was proposed: on the Cross, God the Father subjected His divine Son to the wrath and retribution sinful humanity justly deserved. Having punished His Son in the place of sinners and having exhausted His pent-up anger, the Father could then turn to humanity in love and mercy. This theory—known as “penal substitutionary atonement”—caught on in many Catholic circles and is often the popular understanding of the Cross.

Thank God for What Is Redemption? by Philippe de la Trinité, a classic now back in print. This book shows the many fallacies in the penal substitutionary theory of redemption. But that’s not all. Trinité replaces this mistaken theory with the true Catholic doctrine.

In dialogue with the saints and doctors of the Church, chiefly St. Thomas Aquinas, he shows why St. John in his Gospel said it was for love—not for wrath—that God sent His only-begotten Son. Carefully distinguishing the key concepts in the doctrine of redemption, he explains the difference between saying that Christ made satisfaction for the sins of the world and saying that Christ suffered the punishment due to every sin. The Cross is not an oppression, but an exaltation—a triumph of divine love.

Philippe de la Trinité, O.C.D. was born John Joseph Rambaud at Grenoble in 1908. He studied at the Gregorian University at Rome, where he earned the degree doctor of philosophy. He served as president of the faculty of theology of the Discalced Carmelites at Rome and a consultant of the Congregation of the Holy Office. He was chevalier of the French Legion of Honor and the recipient of the French Croix de Guerre (1939–1945) and the Medal of the Resistance

Genres: Theology, Philosophy, Catholic, Religion, Nonfiction

125 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 2021

Reviews

[Paul Robinson]

This book was written to give the authentic Thomistic doctrine on Redemption and steer between two theological extremes. One extreme is that of modernism, which says that Redemption is only a work of mercy and not in any way a work of justice. The other extreme is that of hardcore Protestants like Calvin, and unfortunately some Catholic authors throughout the centuries, who make Redemption out to be such a work of justice that Our Lord Himself takes on sin in such a way that He is being punished for our sins. Fr. Philippe explains that Redemption is a work of both mercy and justice: Our Lord willingly takes the price of our sins on Himself and pays for our sins on the Cross, out of love for us, but the Father is not in any way angry at His Son, such that Our Lord would be appeasing that anger.

[Sarah Calvis]

This was sort of difficult for me!!!!!!!

[Mendo Ataíde]

Great book to understand the source of our redemption and Christ’s death on the Cross. All out of the merciful love of God through a Vicarious Satisfaction for our sin, not as a scapegoat nor as any due repayment for the Father to unleash His wrath on the Son.
Scott Hahn says it was a fundamental book for him when he was studying.

[Chuanhiang Proton]

Master piece on God’s love

One of the best books to know God’s love and Christ’s redemption in the most profound manner. Your heart will surrender to this love while reading it.

[Isaiah Estepp]

A very difficult read. Maybe the most difficult book I’ve tried to work through, but helpful for gaining an understanding of the Catholic Church’s view of the atonement. Trinité presents a Thomistic view of the atonement (vicarious satisfaction), in which Christ’s offering of himself in love and obedience makes satisfaction for sin, rather than Christ suffering the punishment for sinners that they themselves deserved. Rather than viewing the Passion as a punishment, he presents it as a satisfaction in which Christ offers himself to the Father in perfect love and obedience and this offering has infinite value because the person suffering is the divine Son. Though he suffers the consequences associated with sin, he is not legally punished by God for our sins. Therefore, the cross is not primarily an image of wrath, but of “divine love reaching its supreme expression.” Perfect, superabundant satisfaction was made through his voluntary, obedient, loving, self-offering, which ultimately restored humanity to communion with God.

This was interesting to learn about, but requires a great deal of contemplation. While I still hold to PSA, it was an interesting dive into something new and learn about what St. Thomas taught about the atonement.

[Elijah Newcomb]

A great little work on the subtle yet crucial distinctions between Penal Substitutionary Atonement and the ever more beautiful and true Vicarious Satisfaction theory of atonement.

[Paul]

Vicarious Satisfaction (true) vs. Penal Substitution (false)

[Claire Maiona]

I don’t have the brain capacity to finish this right now but I will come back- very theologically dense and I have to read most sentences 3 times but many awesome theological truths here

[Alan]

One big take away: ''Vicarious Satisfaction.''

Fr. Philippe really exemplifies both the Church but also the Thomistic soteriology in this book. I cannot exhaust myself in all the details. But contrary to the teachings of Luther and Calvin, the author presents us with the Catholic Church and exhorts the most beautiful and profound message of redemption. Read it.